McNulty felt McGeehan was lucky to avoid an early bath

Mike Simmonds

Hatters skipper Steve McNulty felt midfielder Cameron McGeehan was a touch fortunate to stay on the pitch during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Morecambe.

The on-loan Norwich City youngster’s late challenge on Laurence Wilson after just five minutes was deemed only a booking by referee Carl Berry, who then sent off the Shrimps’ Ryan Edwards in the second half for a foul on McGeehan.

“It was so early on in the game and I think the ref bottled it a little bit and didn’t want to send him off so early in the game.

Steve McNulty

McNulty said: “I think he’s lucky to still be on the pitch. He’s gone over the ball and although it wasn’t high, their lad’s been sent off for a similar challenge.

“It was so early on in the game and I think the ref bottled it a little bit and didn’t want to send him off so early in the game.

“But their lad’s gone over the ball and it was a sending off. It was a niggly, you’re always going to get that, they’re a bunch of scousers and want to rough you up.

“That’s what they did to us at home, I got sent off, but they bullied us that day and we know what we’re going to get out of it.”

Team-mate Alex Lawless admitted those with him on the substitutes bench had feared the worst once the tackle was made, saying: “I didn’t see his tackle but a lot of people around me seemed very concerned, as people thought the referee might send him off.

“It’s good that he didn’t as we don’t want to lose Cam suspended.”

First team coach Hakan Hayrettin however didn’t think the incident warranted a dismissal, as he said: “I don’t think so, I think he should have been on the pitch. It wasn’t as high was what their player’s tackle was, he didn’t follow through.

“If he followed through it’s open to interpretation, if the referee deemed it to be a red card he would have one as he had a good view of it too.”

Meanwhile, on the red for Edwards, Hayrettin added: “It was a nasty challenge and again the referee is in full view.”